A matter of breeding : a biting history of pedigree dogs and how the quest for status has harmed man's best friend

Brandow, Michael 1959- (Author).

Summary: In this illuminating and entertaining social history, social critic Michael Brandow probes the ?cult of pedigree? and traces the commercial rise of the purebred dog. Combining consumer studies with sharp commentary, A Matter of Breeding reveals the sordid history of the dog industry and shows how our brand-name pets?from Labs to French bulldogs and everything in between?pay the price with devastatingly poor health.

Item details

ISBN: 9780807033432 (pbk. : alk. paper)
ISBN: 080703343X (pbk. : alk. paper)
ISBN: 9780807033449 (ebook)
Physical Description: print
xii, 275 pages ; 22 cm
Publisher: Boston : Beacon Press, [2015]

Contents / Notes

Bibliography, etc. Note:	Includes bibliographical references (pages 237-261)and index.
Formatted Contents Note:	The English vice -- Perfectionists gone wild -- Royal precedents and ruff drafts -- Eugenics, you, and Fido too -- A frickin' menagerie -- The Midas touch -- Aristocracy for sale -- Some hunting dogs -- Coming home -- Frankenstein's lab.